Business View Carribean l January 2023

29 30 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 ARUBA TRADE & INDUSTRY ASSOC I AT ION (AT I A) Herrick Henriquez Director of the Aruba Trade & Industry Association Business View Caribbean had an enlightening conversation with Herrick Henriquez, Director of the Aruba Trade & Industry Association, where he shared valuable insights about business development in Aruba and how ATIA continues to be a strong voice for its members. BVC: Could you start by sharing some background history of ATIA? Henriquez: “The Aruba Trade & Industry Association is an employers’ organization that was formed 77 years ago, on June 17, 1945, by several business people who came together as more of a lobbying group. It started, basically, as a voice for business in Aruba at a time when not everybody had access to the government. Throughout the years, ATIA also started partnering with other organizations in the Caribbean. “Today, ATIA is the longest standing employers’ organization in Aruba and the only employers’ organization on the island that is officially recognized by the ILO (International Labour Association) and the IOE (International Organization of Employers). We’re also part of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) based in Trinidad and Tobago. “In 2020, ATIA’s Director at the time, decided to pursue a new career. I was working at the Central Bank of Aruba when this opportunity came up, and I felt that I could help the economy better in this position than at the Central Bank. So I took that leap of faith, came here in March of 2021, and never looked back. It was a good fit for me. I like to be at the forefront of change, and ATIA was at the point where the Board also wanted a change. They wanted to make an impact again, to shock the community, so I told them they should choose me, as I was already well known in the community, and I had a big network.” BVM: How has the business climate evolved in Aruba through the COVID-19 pandemic? Henriquez: “Friday, March 13, 2020 was a very dark day for the island because we got our first positive COVID case. By March 17th all our borders were closed. Aruba is 80 to 85 percent dependent